Film Opening Analysis

Casino Royale

The use of red seems to foreshadow death, violence and blood in the film. Furthermore the use of card suits suggests the films main location will be in a casino.

The use of hearts and diamonds also suggests the film will involve money and wealth, but the red of them suggests again that death and violence will be associated with these things. Whereas the spades and clubs symbolise weapons and an opposition for Bond. This demonstrates a possible two sides black vs. red.

Linking back to the last point. One could infer that Bond fighting in the sequence relates to him wanting to do his job, instead of worrying about wealth.

The fact that we see a women representing a queen, who turns out to be Bonds lover, suggests that the luck of the cards are on Bonds side.

The change from 007 being shot out on card to the typed one on the computer demonstrates the duty and formality that Bond should be regarding. However, due to the use of the first shot, one could interpret that this is not the case, and is a reoccurring theme throughout the film.

The patterns used in this opening sequence presents a maze like atmosphere within the film, posing a possible threat to Bond. However, due to Bonds stance, we can see that he is used to these surroundings, conveying the danger he is always in and how well he can cope with it.

In Bruges

• Use of walking after intro of Bruges and plot allows you to get a grip of characters. Looking at map shows they do not belong there, looking edgy. Two characters work well together as they are arguing, suggests conflict.

• Showing images of Bruges suggest that this is where all the action will take place. Furthermore, the use of showing Bruges in the dark shows that there may be bad events to occur, could be death in the Town and conflict.

• Statues possibly symbolises death. This is also connoted with the use darkness, firstly as the images of Bruges shown are at night, and that the screen continuously fades. Also, the lack of stars might also suggest this further, as there is a lack of hope when in Bruges.

• The use of diegetic sound (narrator) lays out the plot of the film and we get a sense of the character. Also the non-diegetic sound is light and suggests that there is an element on good in an already dark layout film.

Se7en

• This sequence starts off slow with the sound picking up towards the end when the title of the film is introduced. Every 5 to 7 seconds, there is a black-out where an actor or film crew member is introduced. It’s set in time to the music in the background and the scratchy sound effects that give the sequence an eerie feel to it. It’s slow to draw the audience in and speeds up gradually to keep them engaged.

• The use of the font in this title sequence works very well with the mysterious feel of the sequence, because, it looks like someone has drawn on the screen. Making the audience feel as though they are participating rather than observing.

• The constant close-ups of the images and the book is also effective in keeping the attention of the audience because they are so close to what’s being shown that they can’t be separated from it.

The previous slide indicates that the colour and lighting in this sequence is a sickly yellow to associate with ageing and perhaps death which is very effective for setting the mood of the film. We get a sense of psychotic behaviour through the crossing out of words and the extreme close-up of the pen and fingers. It’s like the title sequence is drawing us in so close to the action that we can’t look away.

• Here we can see the suggested psychopath cutting off his fingerprints, demonstrating the idea that he is a criminal. This is also shown early on in the sequence, allowing the audience to have this perception throughout the section. Additionally, this is brought up later in the film, and therefore foreshadowing that he is on the run from the law.

• The change in the way the names are presented seem to suggest that there is an importance in the characters in which these actors play.

Sweeney Todd

Throughout this sequence we seem to follow the camera from its point of view. Firstly we see the dark streets of London, not only does the darkness and rain promote a sense of death and sadness through pathetic fallacy, but also the occasional red rain drops connote death further, through the colour of blood.

These same points are emphasised further, as we zoom focus in on Sweeney’s chair. This seems to foreshadow that this will be a main place in which death will occur, highlighted through the blood on the window. This also seems to suggest that we will be the observers of the blood events which take place throughout the film.

The camera then follows the blood trail, and we see several cogs beginning to work from the chair. This illustrates that the blood plays an important part for something, suggesting that death will be a reoccurring theme of the film.

The use of sound in this section sets a scary tone for the rest of the sequence, through the non-diegetic crescendo. Furthermore, the use of the title appearing in red again connotes death. As well as the red only used for ‘Sweeney Todd’ implying that he will do most of the killing.

It could be argued here that the use of the pies in a hot oven is representing that they may still be alive, which is reinforced with the blood bubbling on the tray. This not only again connotes death, but also that you get a sense of Sweeney’s psychopathic nature.

Finally, the use of the sewage system demonstrates that there is a successful secret process that is taking place here. Additionally, the connotations of red again symbolises death.

St Trinians

• The use of the colour pink suggests not only girls, but a open and bold attitude within the field. Additionally, the use of the spray paint implies a rebellious theme throughout the film. And the use of the pink with this suggests that there is open bad behaviour.

• Through the mise-en-scene of the shot, we can see that they are plotting something bad. In that they are taking cover by blowing up the gate in the sewer (a traditional way of breaking and entering) for possibly stealing something, which is emphasised with the use of black and white. Also, the use of the comical poo on the shoe demonstrates that their age is important, as they are still slightly immature.

• Firstly, the use of what looks like an establishing shot illustrates to us that the film takes place in London. Additionally, the continuous use of cartoon drawings gives off a childlike atmosphere and suggests that this was maybe drawn by a child. Therefore, relating to the last shot, one might assume that this is part of a plot they are planning.

• This backs up my previous point that something is being plotted. This shot additionally demonstrates that the children are in fact very good when it comes to plotting a heist, which is continuously displayed as the sequence moves on. You can also see the school logo on the side of the van, which reminds you that these are school children pulling off the heist, and also that there is a senseof unity with them.

• Here it is demonstrated just how far they are all going to get what we still don’t know. This grips that audience, as they want to find out what they are going through all this trouble to get. Furthermore, it conveys a sense of danger, as they are now in a position to die, connoting the scale of their plan.

• Here we are displayed that the painting is their target, and that the importance of this is huge, due to the lasers that are shown. However, we do not see what is about to come, the scene ends here. This suggests that this sequence is a foreshadowing of the film to come, which grips the audience to the rest of the film.